St. Agnes Catholic Church Confirmation Orientation packet 2018/2019 - Sunday, May 5, 2019 11:00 AM Mass
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St. Agnes Catholic Church
Confirmation Orientation packet
2018/2019
Sunday, May 5, 2019
11:00 AM Mass
Reception to Follow+ JMJ Dear Parents, Here at St. Agnes we deeply thank you for this privilege of preparing your child for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our purpose in support of you, is to instill in them a strong love and respect for Our Lord. Confirmation will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at the 11AM Mass. We will have two (2) required retreats. The dates will be announced as soon as possible In viewing of the service projects, I prefer this to be a relaxed experience. I truly believe Our Lord desires the Heart and Love from your child as they receive the benefits from the Sacrament to be received. I truly want to create a sense of accomplishment without realizing the accomplishment of doing Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The purpose of service should be given as a gift to Our Lord without anxiety. I want our students to be happy in the service of God. Our service projects are classified into three categories: Service Projects, Project Booklet and Confirmation Year Only. Our Confirmands must attend seven (7) Adoration Hours on the First Saturday of each month. 6th grade through 11th grade are allowed to receive these hours for Adoration. Adoration is on the 1st Saturday of each month throughout the year. In regards for the Church (20) twenty hours, the imprisoned, 6th grade through the 11th grade will be given the opportunity to write a card or letter to those in prison during PSR class or as a homework assignment. This will be counted as part of service for Confirmation, for the family the confirmand will prepare one meal with the family. There will be a Confirmation Project Booklet to be completed before Confirmation. I would like to begin this in the 9th Grade. This is a fun assignment and is actually enlightening as this project reveals its purpose. During the Confirmation year our Confirmands will have to complete a Saints Report from the Saint they are choosing to emulate. This will be their Saint Name. They will need to write a letter to our Bishop stating the purpose of why they wish to be confirmed. We will have a day for them to be interviewed by Fr. Charbel and this will take place at one of our retreats. As for sponsors, they need to prayerfully choose a sponsor who will attend a mini retreat with their confirmand on April 13, 2019. The time will be 8:00AM – 12:00PM. All sponsors must fill out the form provided and have it sealed by the parish they were baptized. More information will be posted on our website in the days to come at http://stagnesbr.org/ The Confirmation Packet will be posted for your convenience. Thank you for your time as we prepare your child for a life time of service in community in the spirit of Christ. May God bless each of you and guide you in peace and love. God bless you, Donna Davis Religious Education Coordinator
St. Agnes CONFIRMATION DRESS CODE
• MODEST, APPROPRIATE, SUNDAY Church Dress clothing is expected of all candidates.
This is a special moment of grace as candidates not only meet Bishop Muench, but also have
an encounter of God’s grace in the Sacrament of Confirmation and Holy Mass. Please make
your selection of clothing with dignity and modesty in mind.
• For the female candidates… modesty and appropriate dress are our greatest concerns. As
such, NO sleeveless, backless, strapless, spaghetti straps, transparent, low-cut, or mid-drift
revealing dresses or tops are to be worn. The hemlines must be pass the knees. They
must not have revealing ‘slits’ or be tight fitting. Sleeves must cover shoulders and upper
arms.
• The dress is to be white or off-white.
• Shoes: Please be careful with shoe selection, as we will be walking in procession and leaving
the pews twice to receive the Sacraments. Please no sandals.
• For the male candidates…Dress slacks, a long sleeve dress shirt, and a tie. Dress shoes are
appropriate…no tennis shoes, please. A blazer or a suit is appropriate and may be worn but is
not expected.
• Hair should be off the forehead so that the Bishop can anoint the candidate.
2 Required Retreats
Confirmation Candidates must attend 2 Retreats at St. Agnes
1. October 13, 2018 Time: 7:30AM – 3:30PM
2. April 13, 2019 Candidate & Sponsor Mini Retreat: Time: 7:45AM – 11:00AM
Candidates will need to arrive at 7:30AM - 3:30PMSt. Agnes Confirmation Photo Order Form
8 x 10 Group Picture
Name________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________
Phone # ______________________________________________________
Quantity x $5.00 = Total _______________________________________
Please make checks payable to St. Agnes
Please give to Donna Davis at PSR on Tuesday, April 9, 2019
**Payments must be made in advance.Is Now the Time? (Sponsor and Candidate may reflect on these questions.)
Confirmands, please take the time to read these questions and answer the best you can.
Why do you want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Take a few QUIET moments and use these guidelines to help.
1. Have I ever thought about why I want to receive the sacrament of Confirmation?
Why am I?
2. Is this my parents wish or my own? If it is my parents’; am I willing to set that aside and at
least explore the possibility as my own?
3. Does my schedule allow me to participate in the way that God is calling me to?
4. Am I doing this just because my friends are?
5. Would it mean more to wait until I’m more adjusted to high school?
6. Have I been actively involved in my faith long enough where I feel that I have a good
foundation to be initiated?
7. Have I always thought of Confirmation as the end of having to go to class? Am I
ready for a life long journey of faith?
8. Am I willing to be known as a Confirmed Catholic? Am I willing to live as a
Confirmed Catholic publicly? Am I willing to be open to what God has in store for
my life?
Please know that even after receiving the Sacrament of
Confirmation, you will not have all the answers.
We are called to be open and to learn throughout our life.
In our lives, we fall. However, as children of God, we pick
ourselves up, reconcile, and strive to try again.What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church have to say…
“Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the
Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us
more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us
more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in
words accompanied by deeds.”
-Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1316
“Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on
the Christian’s soul; for this reason, one can receive this sacrament only once in
one’s life.”
-CCC 1317
“Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a
more intimate union with Christ and a livelier familiarity with the Holy
Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of
assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis
for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of
Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter
bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.”
-CCC 1309A Prayer to Help Choose a Sponsor
Holy Spirit, helper and guide, give me wisdom as I choose my Confirmation sponsor.
Help me to choose a person of prayer who will teach me also to be a person of prayer
who will support me in difficult times, who will guide me to make good choices,
and who will challenge me when I do not. Help me to choose someone who will love me and teach
me to love Jesus. Thank you for giving me a community of people around me to support and guide
me as I take this important step in becoming more fully a member of your Church. Amen.
Why a Sponsor?
From the earliest days of the Church, specific people chosen from the community supported those
seeking communion with the Church. At our Baptism those significant people were your parents and
godparents (your baptismal sponsors) who promised that you would be raised in faith. They
professed their faith because you could not speak for yourself. Your parents accepted the
responsibility of training you in the practice of the faith. Your godparents promised to help your
parents; you will renew your baptismal promises. Your sponsor is a person who will support you
throughout your preparation, and stand with and present you for Confirmation.
Choosing a Sponsor
The Church encourages you to choose, if possible, one of your baptismal godparents to be your
sponsor for Confirmation because this expresses more clearly the link between your Baptism and
Confirmation, but is not required. It is also a good idea to choose someone that has been close
enough to you to have been supportive in your life so far. The sponsor should not be chosen just to
give honor to a good friend or relative. Being a sponsor means having a true appreciation of the
Catholic Faith and sense of responsibility towards your wellbeing.
A Confirmation Sponsor must:
• Be fully initiated in the church, meaning they are baptized, and have received
Eucharist and Confirmation.
• Be a practicing Catholic, meaning they regularly receiving communion and other
Sacraments.
• Is at least 16 years of age
• When choosing a sponsor, you may want to ask yourself:
• Is this person someone with whom I feel comfortable?
• Does this person live near enough to me to be able to truly guide and support me?
If not, will they be committed to communicate regularly with me despite the distance?
• Will this person be willing and able to be my sponsor – to take an active role in my
life?
• Will this person be able to fulfill all or most of the responsibilities of a sponsor?
(on next page)
• Fill out the Sponsor Form provided and bring back to the CCD Office.Sponsor Information
A sponsor must be a practicing confirmed Catholic. He or she may not be the
candidate’s parent. A godparent is an excellent choice.
It is encouraged for the sponsor to live in the area.
A Sponsor’s Role is to:
• Pray for and with the candidate
• Share the sponsor’s faith story with his or her candidate.
• Spend time getting to know the candidate, possibly taking him or her to a
special dinner or having him or her over to the sponsor’s home.
• Help the candidate choose a Saint name.
• Present the candidate during the Rite of Confirmation. The Confirmation
Liturgy is scheduled for Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 11:00AM. Sponsors are asked to
arrive at 10:30AM. On Confirmation day please arrive thirty (30) minutes prior to
Mass.
• Continue to be there for the candidate and lend spiritual support.
Sponsors and Candidates Mini Retreat
April 13, 2019
8:00AM Holy Mass
8:30AM – 10AM Breakfast in Cafeteria - Questions and Answers (Now is the Time…see above)
10:30 – 11:00 Rehearsal
After the Mini Retreat with the Sponsors the Candidates are required to remain
to complete their Retreat until 3:30PMConfirmation Sponsor (Certificate of Eligibility)
Name of Confirmand: ______________________________________________________________________
(Please carefully read the requirements and qualification of a sponsor before signing)
Canon 874 and 893 of the Code of Canon Law lists the requirements and qualification of those who serve as sponsors for the
Sacrament of Confirmation:
A sponsor: 1. Must be mature enough to undertake this responsibility
2. Must have received the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
3. Must be no less than 16 years of age
4. Must believe all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches, and truly make a serious effort to live a good
moral life worthy of imitation: and to the religious instruction of his/her family.
5. Must be an actively practicing Catholic, participation at Mass on Sundays and Holydays, and receiving the
sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly.
6. Must be canonically free to carry out this office, this means that Catholics publicly living in an invalid marriage
(not according to Catholic Church Regulations) and those that are co-habitating (living together without
marriage) cannot serve as a sponsor.
Being a sponsor is not just an honor given to a good friend or relative. To be a sponsor means having a true appreciation of the
Catholic faith and a sense of responsibility towards the spiritual well-being of the person being confirmed. Please provide an
updated Baptismal Certificate from the church you were baptized or brought into full communion with the Catholic Church. The
certificate must be signed and must include church seal.
“I declare that I am a registered member of the Parish listed below and that I meet all the requirements (listed above) to
be a sponsor.”
Sponsor
Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print)
Sponsor’s Church Parish:
Complete Address : ________________________________________________________________________________
Parish of Confirmation/Date:___________________________________________________________________________
Sponsor Signature: ____________________________________________ Phone #: _____________________________
To be completed by your Pastor:
+ Service Project for Confirmation +
Confirmation Service Project for the Family
I hereby certify that ___________________________________________is a registered member of this parish, is a practicing
Catholic, and is eligible to serve as a sponsor for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Name of Parish__________________________________________________________ (Parish Seal)+ Service Project for Confirmation +
Confirmation Service Project for the Family
As part of Corporal Works of Mercy and a plea from Our Lord to keep families together
at meal time, please prepare a complete sit-down meal for your family:
Complete this by: Now until January, 2019
• You will prepare one meal for your family. It can be any meal time such as: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.
• You will prepare a menu with the recipe. You will have a 4-course meal – such as: 1. Appetizer (soup or fruit) 2.
Entrée (salad) 3. Main Course (meat/fish, vegetable, starch) 4. Dessert Water and Beverage.
• You can prepare: 1. Appetizer (soup or fruit) 2. Entrée (potato chips) 3. Main Course (sandwich) 4. Dessert
(cookies or baked) Water and Beverage. (have fun with this and enjoy your family and this service)
• Be creative: You will set the table using a table cloth, flower arrangement, plate, fork, knife, spoon, drinking
glass, salad plate, & soup bowl. Please draw a diagram or take a picture of your table setting.
• You will clean up after all are finish with the meal.
• Please fill out the form, in order, to receive credit.
Confirmation Service Project for the Church
As part of Corporal Works of Mercy and a continual plea from Our Lord
to keep you in HIS HOME, please do the following:
Complete this by: Now until February, 2019
• Please consider 3 choices from this list. (20 hours)
• Cleaning the cafeteria after the 1st Communion. This entails moving tables/chairs, sweeping / mopping, washing
dishes or whatever is asked of you.
• St. Agnes’ Catholic Daughters are in need of decorating the Church at Christmas and Easter. This entails
whatever is asked for that day. You are to assist in this service: preparing and or removal of decorations for the
Church at these Liturgical Feast Days. Set-up Dates: Christmas: TBA Easter: TBA
• Cleaning the inside of the Church
• Help with Christmas Play
• Service in the Soup Kitchen
• Volunteering at the Summer Camp with the Missionaries of Charity or a Vacation Bible School.Confirmation Service Project for Adoration
As part of Spiritual Works of Mercy and a plea from Our Lord for you to always
remember to keep vigil in prayer, please do the following:
Complete this by: Now until March, 2019
6th Grade – Confirmation may begin to complete these Adoration Hours.
• Total of 7 Adoration Hours. This will be in the PSR Adoration Chapel, on the First Saturday’s of each month.
Confirmation Service Project for those in Prison
As part of Spiritual Works of Mercy and a plea from Our Lord for you to always
remember and to keep extra vigil for those in Purgatory,
Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Prison and those homebound.
Complete this by: Now until February, 2019
6th Grade – Confirmation may begin this project.
• You can offer silent prayers; however, these silent prayers do not count for this service project but we must all
have compassion for all of God’s Children. God will see your compassion and your efforts will be extra credit
awaiting you in Heaven.
• You will write 3 letters (make a card) for someone in Prison. Do not put your return address, your name, the
parish you’re from nor what you’re doing this for. Just simply write that person on the subject of inviting them
to know love and serve God. You may tell them a story about something interesting that could help them focus
on the Presence of God in their life. Please turn in these letters to the office and I will read them and will mail
them. I will get names of those in Prison for you.
• For those in Nursing Homes, Hospitals or homebound; please make 1 visit to them and have your parents sign
the form for you. Remember the more you do that does not count towards this service project…that would
mean extra credit awaiting you in Heaven.Confirmation Service Project for the Family
Date: ____________________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Grade: __________
What is your complete Meal Menu: (please include recipes – you may write on the back or attach to this page)
Please circle one: Did you prepare: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Appetizer :
Entrée :
Main Course :
Dessert :
Drink:
Draw a diagram or take a picture or draw a diagram of your complete table setting:
Explain your experience in this service: (If you need more room to write then please attach to this page)
Let your parents & siblings have a turn to explain their experience in your service. (Write something brief)
• Pray the table blessing with each other.+
JMJ
Confirmation
Project Instruction:
1. Make a booklet using the information below. Each person you are interviewing should
have their own page.
2. Booklet should have a cover page.
3. Make it interesting and have fun with it.
4. Please do not ask our Priest at St. Agnes nor our Missionaries of Charity Sisters…you
may use the internet and do a search for Monasteries or Convents and send an email to
them with the questions as well as your friends and family.
5. Do not copy from each other!
6. You may not use the same friends! Be creative and ask someone you don’t know very
well. A friend could be an adult at Mass or your grandparents.
7. Project due by: March, 2019 or as soon as you can complete it.
8. This is a simple project. Suggestions: send one email to several of those you have
selected by using your email BCC with the interviewing questions and wait to hear back.
Or you can write to each person with the questions and have them respond back. You
be creative in making this happen. The idea behind this project is for your awareness
and the purpose of your Sacrament of Confirmation.
Please interview:
3 Priest
3 Nuns
Your Parents
Your godparents
3 friends that received Confirmation last year.
3 friends that received Confirmation a few years ago.
Questions to ask the person you’re interviewing:
1. Name of person interviewing.
2. What is your Confirmation name?
3. Why did you choose that name?
4. When did you receive Confirmation? (What grade were you in?)
5. What did/does Confirmation mean to you? (Is it still important to you this day?)
• In the past those that have made their Confirmation said this project had impacted their life with purpose and
meaning. It became their favorite requirement for Confirmation.
We are all called to Saintly Holiness with Christ and we are each other’s keepers.☺ 3 More Things to do ☺
2nd Year Confirmation
☺ However why wait since you have the information now ☺
1. Interview
Each candidate is required to have a short interview. – will have sign-up sheet at Parent Meeting
2. Letter to the Bishop – Due NOW until January, 2019
This is a one-page, typed letter addressed to:
Most Reverend Michael Gerard Duca
Mailing address: P. O. Box 2028, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028
Physical address: 1800 South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-1998
Please enlighten him WHY you are wanting to be confirmed as a Catholic.
Below are just a few suggestions.
Some points you may want to cover in your letter are:
• What has been the highlight of your Confirmation preparation?
• How has your life changed since the beginning of the program?
• In what ways do you see yourself being involved with the parish after receiving
Confirmation?
• How do you intend to learn more about the faith after Confirmation?
3. Saint Project – Due NOW until January, 2019
Each candidate has the opportunity to choose a Confirmation name. It is encouraging that
they first research their Baptismal name as this can be an excellent connection between the
two Sacraments. In addition, each Confirmand may research additional Saints to determine
which name they would like to be confirmed under. This is a very personal decision, take the
time to discern this name. This is a great activity to share with your sponsor.
Please select a Saint that you can relate too. Below are a few suggestions for your report.
I choose this Saint because…?
What are the heroic virtues that moved you in selecting this particular Saint?
What inspired you about this Saint?
How can I model my life after this Saint for the rest of my life?BISHOP’S LETTER EXAMPLE
__________________________
(Date)
Most Rev. Michael Gerard Duca
P. O. Box 2028, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028
1800 South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-1998
Dear Bishop Muench:
First Paragraph (3-5 sentences - What are the reasons you want to be
confirmed?)
Second Paragraph (3-5 sentences - What part of the preparation process
was most helpful to you?
Third Paragraph (3-5 sentences - When confirmed, what difference will you
make? (Personal growth in your relationship to God,
service to others, doing God’s work in the world, etc.)
Fourth Paragraph (3-5 sentences - Some words of thanks to the Bishop for
his time in coming to do the Confirmation at St. Agnes.
Sincerely,
(Use an ink pen to sign your name)
Your name typed and sign aboveWriting a Letter to the Bishop
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Please type your letters using the name and address enclosed in these
instructions. See example.
2. Please sign your letters with your signature in pen, followed by your
typewritten name.
3. Please submit this letter to your Confirmation Teacher now or until
January, 2019. Please save this letter into our computer. You may
need to make some changes.
4. Please turn in your letter without folding it and without placing it in an
envelope. We will send all the letters together in one envelope. Thanks!
In your own words, write a letter requesting Confirmation.
Sign your letter in pen and type your name under the signature.
It’s that simple!
You may find SAMPLE LETTERS online as an example.
DO NOT COPY ANY LETTER YOU FIND
Write using your own words requesting confirmation!
Trust in the Holy Spirit to help you compose this letter.+Confirmation Check List+
Confirmation Candidate: _________________________________________
Confirmation Name: ____________________________________________
Sponsor: _____________________________________________________
Service Hours – Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy
Service Projects: 6th Grade – 11th Grade
Adoration (7) _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
For the Church (20 hours) _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
For the Family (1 meal together) ____________________
For the Imprisoned (3 letters or cards) _________ _________ _________
1 2 3
Project Booklet: 9th Grade – 11th Grade
Confirmation Project Booklet: ________________
Confirmation Year only: 10th Grade & 11th Grade
Saints Report: ________________
Bishop’s Letter: _______________
Sponsor Form: _______________
Candidate & Sponsor Mini Retreat: Saturday, April 13, 2019 Time: 7:45AM – 11:30AM
Retreats: Saturday, October 13, 2018 & Saturday, April 13, 2019 Both Retreats: 7:30AM – 3:30PMYou can also read
